Essendon will benefit from the return of Jye Caldwell this week, with the midfielder cleared to play ahead of Saturday’s matchup with Sydney at Marvel Stadium.

The 24-year-old hasn’t featured since round three due to a hamstring strain, now set to bolster the side’s midfield personnel after a successful recovery.

Three AFL-listed Bombers in Matt Guelfi, Nik Cox and Angus Clarke all got through their return games well via the VFL over the weekend, set to offer the squad with more selection depth over the coming weeks.

As reported after Thursday night’s win over North Melbourne, Jordan Ridley and Harrison Jones are both set for stints on the sidelines with respective injuries coming out of that game.

Ridley’s estimated return to play timeframe from his high-grade hamstring injury is around eight weeks, while Jones expected return to play is yet to be determined as he recovers from a dislocated ankle and minor foot fracture.

Jade Gresham will also miss this week’s game with a low-grade adductor strain, however will look to be available for the Bulldogs fixture the following week.

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HoMedics
Player Injury Estimated Return
10. Isaac Kako

10. Isaac Kako

Hamstring Test
38. Rhys Unwin

38. Rhys Unwin

Calf 1 week
14. Jordan Ridley

14. Jordan Ridley

Calf 2 weeks
45. Thomas Edwards

45. Thomas Edwards

ACL 2 weeks

Edwards has suffered a ruptured ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.

24. Nick Bryan

24. Nick Bryan

ACL 4-5 weeks

Nick Bryan suffered an ACL tear in round five against Melbourne (2025).

12. Will Setterfield

12. Will Setterfield

Foot 5-6 weeks
39. Cillian Bourke

39. Cillian Bourke

Hamstring 6-7 weeks
36. Angus Clarke

36. Angus Clarke

Syndesmosis 6-8 weeks

Clarke sustained a syndesmosis injury at main training ahead of the Opening Round bye.

18. Lewis Hayes

18. Lewis Hayes

ACL TBC

Hayes suffered an ACL injury during his debut game against Sydney in round nine.

37. Nic Martin

37. Nic Martin

ACL Season

Martin tore his ACL in the round 18 clash against Richmond.

45. Thomas Edwards

45. Thomas Edwards

Edwards has suffered a ruptured ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.

Injury: ACL
Est. Return: 2 weeks
24. Nick Bryan

24. Nick Bryan

Nick Bryan suffered an ACL tear in round five against Melbourne (2025).

Injury: ACL
Est. Return: 4-5 weeks
36. Angus Clarke

36. Angus Clarke

Clarke sustained a syndesmosis injury at main training ahead of the Opening Round bye.

Injury: Syndesmosis
Est. Return: 6-8 weeks
18. Lewis Hayes

18. Lewis Hayes

Hayes suffered an ACL injury during his debut game against Sydney in round nine.

Injury: ACL
Est. Return: TBC
37. Nic Martin

37. Nic Martin

Martin tore his ACL in the round 18 clash against Richmond.

Injury: ACL
Est. Return: Season

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